Storms
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Cloud Lightning

Lightning strikes kill 6 in Bihar, India as Patna floods after being pounded by record rain

In India, every third death caused due to natural calamities is because of lightning strike.
In India, every third death caused due to natural calamities is because of lightning strike.
Six people died after struck by lightning as heavy rains coupled with thunderbolts lashed parts of Bihar since Friday evening, even as Patna recorded 150 mm of rainfall, its highest single-day rainfall in June that left large parts of the state capital inundated, including the assembly building and the residence of deputy chief minister Renu Devi.

On June 20, 1997, Patna had recorded 205.4 mm of rainfall, its highest to date, according to the meteorological department.

The state's disaster management department (DMD) confirmed death of six people due to thunderbolts across the state. As per its control room, two people died each at Muzaffarpur and Sheikhpura and one each at Sitamarhi and Lakhisarai till 5 pm.

Patna Meteorological Centre has also issued a yellow colour warning for thunderstorm activities till June 30 across the state.

Weatherman Zeeshan Ansari, said, "Patna witnessed unprecedented high intensity rain and thunderstorm activities during early hours on Saturday. Rise in temperature in southern districts, presence of humidity in atmosphere and cyclonic circulation resulted into intense lightning activities."


Cloud Lightning

Yearly lightning deaths in India more than doubled between 1968 and 2019 - from 1,000 to 2,500

In India, every third death caused due to natural calamities is because of lightning strike.
In India, every third death caused due to natural calamities is because of lightning strike.
Lightning strikes kill more people in India than cyclones, stated the India Meteorological Department (IMD), warning of more casualties from the natural phenomenon in the years to come.

Every year, about 2,000 people die due to lightning strikes. This has been the trend from the year 2004 and the casualties may increase by 12% with every 1 degree increase in global temperature, warn scientists.

The Earth Networks India Lightning Report of 2019 too had pointed out that lightning kills more people than cyclones in India. As per the report, Jharkhand and Meghalaya are most susceptible to lightning while Odisha has the most lightning activity. West Bengal, on the other hand, has the highest lightning density.

Speaking at an awareness workshop on lightning and thunderstorms, organised by the IMD recently, SD Pawar, project director thunderstorm dynamics, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, said, "Lightning incidents and associated deaths went up by about 40% between 1995 and 2014 while the yearly lightning deaths more than doubled (from 1,000 to 2,500) between 1968 and 2019."

(Read more here)

Cloud Precipitation

Devastating storm rips through southern and western Germany

Cladding from the roof of Stuttgart State Opera lies on the ground
© picture alliance/dpa | Christoph SchmidtCladding from the roof of Stuttgart State Opera lies on the ground on Tuesday, June 29th.
The violent storm, which tore part of the cladding off the roof of Stuttgart's opera house on Monday evening, is expected to move through the northern and eastern regions of Germany on Tuesday.

Violent thunderstorms with sharp gusts and heavy rain hit people in the southern and western regions of Germany on Monday night.

In Stuttgart, the fire brigade received more than 330 calls between Monday evening and Tuesday morning, partly due to the intense downpour that caused several of the city's tunnels to flood.

Parts of the cladding flew off the roof at the city's State Opera, where 250 guests were attending a recital on Monday night. According to DPA, statues also fell from their pedestals - but nobody at the recital was injured.


Comment: More intense and frequent thunderstorms linked to global climate variability


Ice Cube

Best of the Web: French town hit by freak June hailstorm - up to 60 centimetres of accumulated hail

Sapeurs-pompiers des Vosges
Sapeurs-pompiers des Vosges
A French town has been hit by a freak hailstorm that left locals clearing drifts of ice in the streets with shovels and snow ploughs.

The hail struck the town of Plombières-les-Bains in the Vosges mountains on Tuesday morning.

Romain Munier, head of communications for the local emergency services, told French media: "There were up to 60 centimetres of accumulated hail" while in the wider area, "up to 10 millimetres of water accumulated in six minutes".

Locals were pictured clearing the street of ice with shovels and snow ploughs after the storm passed and the fire and rescue crews for the Vosges area said they had received 56 callouts in total.



Snowflake Cold

Polar blast grounds flights, shuts highways in New Zealand

A Fulton Hogan truck ploughs snow in Taieri Rd this morning.
© Stephen JaquieryA Fulton Hogan truck ploughs snow in Taieri Rd this morning.
Flights were cancelled, highways shut and essential services disrupted as an Antarctic polar blast swept New Zealand on Tuesday, bringing heavy snow, powerful waves and icy temperatures.

The North Island capital city of Wellington was lashed by the worst tidal storms in years, with authorities asking some coastal residents to be ready to evacuate, as large swells were forecast over the next 24 hours.

"Those people whose homes have been impacted by past swell and storm events should be prepared for these potential impacts again," regional emergency authorities said in a website statement.


Windsock

Tropical Storm Enrique continues to bring flooding rain & wind to Mexico

storm

Enrique, the first hurricane of the 2021 Pacific tropical season, continues to churn just offshore of Mexico. It currently has 70 mph winds, which means it has decreased in intensity to a strong Tropical Storm. At it's peak Enrique had maximum sustained winds up to 90 mph, which was a strong Category 1 Hurricane.

Additional slow weakening should occur as Enrique moves toward the Baja California peninsula late next week. Enrique will encounter cooler waters as it moves north, leading to it's weakening trend.

Rough surf, storm surge, and deadly flooding rain is expected to impact the coastal regions of Western Mexico due to Enrique's proximity. Tropical storm warnings have been posted in Mexico from the state of Jalisco to the state of Michoacan. The heavy rain is falling in an area that was impacted by Dolores last weekend. Flash flooding and mudslides will be possible.

Enrique is the 5th named storm of the 2021 season in the Eastern Pacific. Felicia is the next name on the list.


Cloud Lightning

Lightning strikes kill 3 in Saptari, Nepal

lightning
Three people have died after being struck by lightning in Parsa district on Tuesday morning.

The deceased have been identified as 55-year-old Raghubir Yadav of Sakhuwa Prasauni rural municipality-4, Dewarbana and 27-year-old Rasul Aad Gadi of Paterwa Sugauli rural municipality-1, Gadiyani.

They were struck this morning when they had gone to graze their buffaloes.

They were grazing buffaloes when they were hit by the lighting.

Other four people have sustained injuries in the incident. Of them, the condition of Rajbanshi Mahara is said to be critical. He is undergoing treatment at Narayani Hospital.

Similarly, a 50-year-old Asaturni Devi Tharuni of Jirabhwani rural municipality-3 died after being struck by lightning while planting paddy seedlings this morning, said police.

Cloud Lightning

Moscow streets in gridlock from flooding, as apocalyptic torrential thunderstorms, high winds break capital's record heatwave

moscow floods june 20021
© RTLightning strikes a power station in Moscow’s Shchelkovo district
First came intense, unprecedented heat, as Moscow baked in temperatures of 36°C (96°F) over the weekend. Then, on Monday afternoon, it was another story altogether, with flash rains flooding the city and causing traffic gridlock.

Cloud Precipitation

Heavy torrential rainstorm leads to severe flooding, landslides and a bus accident in Hong Kong - nearly 8 inches of rain falls

South Lantau Road floods after a black rainstorm warning in Hong Kong, China
South Lantau Road floods after a black rainstorm warning in Hong Kong, China
One person was killed in a road accident, flights were delayed, and schools, court hearings and vaccination drives were briefly suspended after the Hong Kong weather department issued the year's first "black rainstorm" warning alert on Monday.

The pounding rain led to a fatal accident in the Sheung Shui town in the north district of Hong Kong, killing the driver of a bus. The driver lost control of the vehicle and slammed it into the tree as the roads were slippery following rainfall, police said. No passenger was on board during the accident.

Heavy torrential rains lashed parts of Hong Kong, triggering landslides in many places which led to traffic and suspension of activities.

Hong Kong Stock Exchange announced it will halt its trading for the morning session on Monday until the highest "black rainstorm" weather warning is cancelled.

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) said in a statement that all its major products and derivatives markets (including Stock Connect trading) will resume trading in the afternoon after the warning alert was downgraded.


Boat

The Saudi desert turns into big rivers after severe storm

floods
Incredible! ⚠️ The Saudi Desert Turns into Big Rivers After Severe Storm